All Jesus' Parables in Order, With Bible Passages

Jesus' parables weren't told all at once. They were spoken over about three years — in fishing towns, at dinner tables, on dusty roads and in the temple courts — often in answer to a question or a complaint. Reading them in order helps you see how His teaching unfolded as He moved from Galilee toward the cross.

This page lists all 38 parables in the order Jesus told them, with the passages in Matthew, Mark and Luke side by side, followed by where and to whom each was spoken. For a full explanation of what each parable means, see our guide to the parables of Jesus with their meanings.

The Gospel writers sometimes arranged Jesus' teaching by topic rather than date, so no order is certain. This list follows a widely used harmony of the Gospels.

Table of all Jesus' parables in order

Early ministry in Galilee

In His first months of public ministry, Jesus taught across Galilee. His earliest parables are short pictures that explain how His message differs from the religion people were used to.

1. New Cloth and New Wine — Matthew 9:16–17; Mark 2:21–22; Luke 5:36–39
   At a dinner at Levi's (Matthew's) house, when people asked why Jesus' disciples didn't fast.
2. The Wise and Foolish Builders — Matthew 7:24–27; Luke 6:47–49
   The closing words of the Sermon on the Mount, to His disciples and the crowds.
3. The Lamp Under a Bushel — Matthew 5:14–16; Mark 4:21–25; Luke 8:16–18
   In the Sermon on the Mount, and again with the parable of the sower.
4. The Two Debtors — Luke 7:41–43
   At the house of Simon the Pharisee, after a sinful woman anointed Jesus' feet.

The parables by the Sea of Galilee

On one remarkable day, Jesus sat in a boat on the Sea of Galilee and taught the crowd on the shore in parables (Matthew 13:1–3; Mark 4:1–2). Matthew gathers eight of these “kingdom parables” into one chapter.

5. The Sower — Matthew 13:3–23; Mark 4:3–20; Luke 8:5–15
   Taught from a boat to a large crowd on the shore; Jesus explained it privately to the disciples.
6. The Growing Seed — Mark 4:26–29
   Part of the teaching by the sea, recorded only by Mark.
7. The Wheat and the Tares — Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43
   Taught to the crowd, then explained to the disciples in the house.
8. The Mustard Seed — Matthew 13:31–32; Mark 4:30–32; Luke 13:18–19
   Taught by the sea; Luke records it again later in a synagogue.
9. The Leaven — Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20–21
   Taught alongside the mustard seed.
10. The Hidden Treasure — Matthew 13:44
    Spoken privately to the disciples in the house.
11. The Pearl of Great Price — Matthew 13:45–46
    Spoken to the disciples together with the hidden treasure.
12. The Net — Matthew 13:47–50
    The last of the parables by the sea, told to the disciples.

Later ministry in Galilee

As opposition grew, Jesus spent more time teaching His disciples privately, preparing them for life together as His followers.

13. The Unforgiving Servant — Matthew 18:23–35
    In Capernaum, after Peter asked how many times he must forgive.

On the journey to Jerusalem

Luke 9:51 says Jesus “stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.” Most of His best-known parables were told on this long journey south, many of them found only in Luke.

14. The Good Samaritan — Luke 10:30–37
    In answer to a lawyer who asked, “And who is my neighbour?”
15. The Friend at Midnight — Luke 11:5–8
    Right after Jesus taught the disciples the Lord's Prayer.
16. The Rich Fool — Luke 12:16–21
    After a man asked Jesus to make his brother divide an inheritance.
17. The Watchful Servants — Mark 13:34–37; Luke 12:35–40
    Taught to the disciples about being ready; Mark records a similar saying in Jerusalem.
18. The Faithful and Wise Servant — Matthew 24:45–51; Luke 12:42–48
    Answering Peter's question about whom the parable was for; repeated on the Mount of Olives.
19. The Barren Fig Tree — Luke 13:6–9
    After people told Jesus about Galileans killed by Pilate.
20. The Great Banquet — Luke 14:16–24
    At a meal in a Pharisee's house on the Sabbath.
21. Counting the Cost — Luke 14:28–33
    Spoken to the large crowds following Jesus.
22. The Lost Sheep — Matthew 18:12–14; Luke 15:3–7
    In Luke, to Pharisees grumbling that Jesus ate with sinners (Matthew records it earlier, about “little ones”).
23. The Lost Coin — Luke 15:8–10
    The second of three “lost” parables to the Pharisees.
24. The Prodigal Son — Luke 15:11–32
    The third “lost” parable, told to the grumbling Pharisees and scribes.
25. The Unjust Steward — Luke 16:1–13
    Spoken to the disciples, with the Pharisees listening.
26. The Rich Man and Lazarus — Luke 16:19–31
    To the Pharisees, “who were covetous” (Luke 16:14).
27. The Unprofitable Servants (Master and Servant) — Luke 17:7–10
    Taught to the apostles after they asked Jesus to increase their faith.
28. The Persistent Widow — Luke 18:1–8
    Told “to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.”
29. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector — Luke 18:9–14
    To people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous.
30. The Workers in the Vineyard — Matthew 20:1–16
    On the way to Jerusalem, after Peter asked what the disciples would receive.
31. The Pounds (Minas) — Luke 19:11–27
    Near Jericho, because people thought God's kingdom would appear immediately.

The final week in Jerusalem

In His last week, Jesus taught in the temple courts and on the Mount of Olives. These parables confront the religious leaders and prepare His disciples for His return.

32. The Two Sons — Matthew 21:28–32
    In the temple courts, to the chief priests and elders who questioned His authority.
33. The Wicked Tenants — Matthew 21:33–44; Mark 12:1–11; Luke 20:9–18
    In the temple, to the chief priests, scribes and elders.
34. The Wedding Feast — Matthew 22:1–14
    In the temple, continuing His answer to the religious leaders.
35. The Budding Fig Tree — Matthew 24:32–35; Mark 13:28–31; Luke 21:29–33
    On the Mount of Olives, in His teaching about the end of the age.
36. The Ten Virgins — Matthew 25:1–13
    On the Mount of Olives, to the disciples.
37. The Talents — Matthew 25:14–30
    On the Mount of Olives, to the disciples.
38. The Sheep and the Goats — Matthew 25:31–46
    The final teaching on the Mount of Olives before the Passover.

Parables of Jesus by Gospel

Parables found in Matthew, Mark and Luke

• New Cloth and New Wine
• The Lamp Under a Bushel
• The Sower
• The Mustard Seed
• The Wicked Tenants
• The Budding Fig Tree

Parables found only in Matthew

• The Wheat and the Tares
• The Hidden Treasure
• The Pearl of Great Price
• The Net
• The Unforgiving Servant
• The Workers in the Vineyard
• The Two Sons
• The Wedding Feast
• The Ten Virgins
• The Talents
• The Sheep and the Goats

Parables found only in Mark

• The Growing Seed

Parables found only in Luke

• The Two Debtors
• The Good Samaritan
• The Friend at Midnight
• The Rich Fool
• The Barren Fig Tree
• The Great Banquet
• Counting the Cost
• The Lost Coin
• The Prodigal Son
• The Unjust Steward
• The Rich Man and Lazarus
• The Unprofitable Servants (Master and Servant)
• The Persistent Widow
• The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
• The Pounds (Minas)

John's Gospel has no story parables. It records extended images instead, such as the Good Shepherd (John 10:1–18) and the True Vine (John 15:1–8).

How to study the parables in order

• Read one period a week. Five weeks takes you through Jesus' whole ministry.
• Compare the parallel passages. Where a parable appears in more than one Gospel, read them side by side and note the small differences in detail and emphasis.
• Notice the audience. Parables told to crowds, to disciples and to Pharisees often carry different emphases.
• Go deeper. Our full studies walk through a parable verse by verse: the lost sheep, the prodigal son, the master and servant, the wedding feast, the hidden treasure and the sheep and the goats.

Want to read the Gospels in the order events happened? Our chronological Bible reading plan takes you through the whole Bible in a year.

Frequently asked questions